Apostolic Nuncio investigated for alleged sexual abuse

5/9/13
The Dominican Republic’s top prosecutor has said that he plans to investigate claims of sexual abuse allegedly committed by the apostolic nuncio to the Caribbean country, just a day after the Vatican confirmed its own investigation into the allegations. Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, appointed as nuncio in 2008, was removed from the post on August 21, and a Dominican bishop confirmed in early September that the dismissal was due to the sexual abuse scandal unfolding in the country. Days after Archbishop Wesolowski’s removal, a television news programme aired allegations that he had paid for sex with minors and was connected to a Polish priest accused of sexually assaulting at least 14 underage boys. The programme, “Nuria”, claimed that Archbishop Wesolowski regularly visited Santo Domingo’s historic center, where he allegedly drank alcohol and paid for sex with underage boys in an abandoned monument nearby.
Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito said he plans to open an investigation, although it was unclear if he had legal jurisdiction over the case since it involves a diplomatic representative. These are “serious allegations which involve children and adolescents who appear to have been abused, violating both their physical and psychological integrity,” Mr Dominguez said in a statement. “I can ensure that the prosecution is not going to cease.” Dominguez said prosecutors are already investigating the priest, Fr Alberto Gil Nojache, and have interviewed two of the alleged victims. Fr Gil was suspended from active ministry in May….more